More from 'Doctors' star Donnaleigh Bailey

I recently had a chat with Doctors star Donnaleigh Bailey to discuss her departure from the role of Michelle Corrigan.

Click here to read the main chat with Donnaleigh, which sees her discussing Michelle's exit storyline.

Alternatively, read on for bonus bits from the interview, including Donnaleigh's thoughts on this year's Inside Soap Awards, her Doctors colleagues and the Michelle/Ruth storyline…

What were your favourite storylines during your four years with Doctors?
"This final one, definitely - my exit storyline is one of the best things I've done. I've loved working with Donna, who plays Vera - all the family stuff has been great. Also, the whole Adam and Ruth storyline - Selina Chilton is one of the most talented actresses I've ever worked with, it was a real honour and a pleasure to work with her and she's one of my dearest and best friends now. But I've had some great 'story of the day' plots as well. I can only think of my time on Doctors fondly. I've been really lucky to have been given such great storylines constantly. I've never been bored."

Some viewers were angry with Michelle at the time of Ruth's breakdown because they thought Michelle was treating her too harshly - what did you make of that?
"I'm aware of Digital Spy's forum boards and when that was all happening, sometimes I'd go on and have a look. I could see that there was a real backlash against Michelle. That was difficult for me to understand as an actor, because to play a character I have to love her, despite all her faults. But I totally understood what they were saying. I cling on to the fact that Michelle is a good nurse, so it was surprising that, as a nurse, she couldn't accept the fact that Ruth had a mental illness and wasn't well.

"I think the way the story developed was fantastic - there's no drama and there's nothing interesting if Michelle forgave her straight away. Michelle had to take a real journey to get to the point of forgiveness and to ask for forgiveness from Ruth herself. She should have handled it better, but I think Michelle had just been overwhelmed by the whole situation - the trust that she'd had in her best friend was taken away and she had a proper identity crisis. She was overwhelmed by her own emotions, her own grief, her father dying, everything. She'd hit breaking point and was at her lowest ebb. The fact that viewers were so evoked by Michelle's response showed that the writers and I were doing a good job in provoking a reaction. I hope people have forgiven her now!"

Are there any particular cast members who you're keen to keep in touch with?
"Oh, all of them! Diane Keen and Adrian Lewis Morgan are dear friends to me. I know everyone says this, but Doctors was one of the nicest places for me to work in my entire life. It was a great way for me to start my career. There's a great cast and crew. Names that I'd mention off the top of my head would be people I worked with more closely - people like Sophie Abelson and Selina Chilton. Charlie Clemmow is one of my best friends. It's such a small cast so we're always together and I love all of them to bits. We still have drinks at the pub every Thursday. I miss them all dearly, but I think we'll be friends forever regardless."

Would you appear in another soap?
"Oh yeah, of course! I think soap actors are some of the hardest-working actors in the business. Actors work hard generally, but for soap actors, the turnaround is so quick with learning your scripts and performing them. Especially on Doctors - it was so fast. I think the storylines on all the soaps are great - this year especially. I'd love to work on another soap. Corrie would be great - it's one of my favourites!"

You're in the running for 'Best Daytime Star' at the Inside Soap Awards this year - what do you think your chances are?
"Well I'm up against not only great actors from Doctors, but also well-loved names and faces from Home and Away and Neighbours. We'll see. I mean, all I can do is keep my fingers crossed, but it'd be a fantastic way to end my time on Doctors, and I'd obviously be extremely grateful to those who've supported me on this great journey that I've had. It's a really nice night to just dress up and see old friends and faces - not only from my show, but friends that I have on other television shows. I'm so flattered and thankful to be nominated."

When you work on a show like Doctors, do you gain a greater respect for people who work in the medical profession?
"Oh yeah, definitely! I've always had a respect for nurses and doctors, but from playing a nurse, I got to spend a day with a senior practice nurse in a surgery. It was great watching them - they're all so dedicated to what they do. But then, when I got the Housman storyline and had to work with military nurses and saw how they work, it totally overwhelmed me. I got to spend the day on a military ward here in Birmingham and saw that what people do there is exceptional. I just think they're fantastic. I do a lot of things for the charity Help For Heroes and have nothing but respect for the military in general."

Did Doctors change much over the four years you were in the show?
"Well, there are more episodes now, which is great - it means the show is on more and gets seen by more people. But I think the basic structure of Doctors hasn't changed. The 'story of the day' and serial plots are always of a high standard. Because you have the 'story of the day', you can tune in and tune out and perhaps never watch it again, or continue to watch it. I think that's great. What I love about Doctors is that it's always evolving - we're in HD now, and when I first joined the show it had single camera days, which they don't do anymore. I think Doctors will continue to grow and continue to be loved by its fans. I think it's a great show to work on."

And finally, Doctors has a very loyal following - is there anything you'd like to say to the people who have tuned in and supported you over the years?
"Just thank you for watching Doctors and continuing to support Michelle through her ups and downs! I know it's been quite a turbulent journey that she's had, and sometimes she hasn't been liked and sometimes she has been - and sometimes she hasn't shown her best. But I think at her core, she's a great nurse and a great character, and I really hope that you've seen her grow up and develop. Especially with this exit storyline - I really hope that it shows her grow up into a more thoughtful and selfless woman. I think it's great that the fans are so supportive and loyal to the show. We're very aware of our following and our fanbase, and so I send lots of love, thanks and gratitude."

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